The Ancient Parish of WEST WITTON

[Transcribed information mainly from the early 1820s]

"WEST WITTON, a parish in the wapentake of Hang West, & liberty of Richmondshire;
4 miles WSW. of Leyburn. The church is a modern structure, of which the Rev.
Jeffery Wood, is the curate; the living is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of
Lord Bolton: here is likewise a Catholic chapel. There is immediately on the
north side of this village, a beautiful piece of ground commonly called the
Gill, situated on the side of a hill, surrounded by a natural walk or promenade,
the highest part of which is finely sheltered by trees arising out of the rocky
side of it, which have a grand and imposing appearance. About the centre is a
small waterfall, which adds greatly to the beauty of the scene. Population, 519.

The Church of West-Witton was early bestowed on the house of Jerveaux, but never
appropriated. In an ancient taxation of the archdeaconry of Richmond, S.D. it
is classed among the chapels, and subject only to the payment of iiis. for Peter
pence. It was, however, dependant on no other church, and though now endowed as
a perpetual curacy only, is strictly parochial. --Whitaker."

"TEMPLE, a farm house in the township and parish of West-Witton; 6 miles
from Leyburn, 7 from Middleham."

"WANLASS, 2 farm houses in the township and parish of West-Witton; ¾ mile N. of
West Witton, 3½ miles from Leyburn, 5 from Middleham."